A: I grew up in Elk Grove, California, the 5th of five girls. My parents always had music playing in the morning to get us all up and ready for breakfast! I listened to The Sound Of Music, or Dave Brubeck...a lot of variety. We had an old upright piano that I diddled on...I started plunking on it from as early as I can remember. My family moved to Chile, when I was 11, I learned to play guitar by ear, and haven't put it down since!

Q: You have an unusual stage name, Anna Moo. How did the name Moo and the bovine theme begin?

A: IT IS MY NAME! I married into it, my husband is Norwegian. Sure! Moo is a funny name, I, of course, milk it for all it's worth! *pun intended* (Making Moosic, Anna Moo Crackers...etc.) Most people think it is a stage name, but it really is my name. Some folks call it Divine Order, I call it Bovine Order!

Q: I thought I read somewhere that you were raised in a military family?

A: Actually...my father is a world renowned Veterinarian...he initiated an exchange program with the University of California, Davis, & the Univ.Santiago, Chile. Then later he was the director of a program for the United Nations in Venezuela.

Q: Did you find that you were particularly drawn to the ethnic music of these areas?

A: I was VERY much influenced by these cultures and especially the wonderful rich hispanic music.

Q: What has traveling and spending time with the many children that hear your concerts revealed to you in regard to music education in the schools?

A: I am heartbroken that FOLK SONGS, in particular, are not being taught or shared. To me, this is such a basic foundation for children to gain interest in history, social studies, and learn about their cultural heritage. To me this is a huge void in our schools' educational systems. But, because of this same situation, my presentations in schools are similar to a visit from Santa Claus!...The kids can't wait to see and hear the next song and be a part of the presentation. I have performed in exclusive private schools and in lowly little country schools, and the reality is that the children's needs, wants, tastes and preferences are the same... they want to have fun, listen to music that stimulates them, and fosters imaginative thinking. I see music as such an essential part of growing and learning. I applaud those schools who continue the crusade for music as an integral part of a child's growth and development.

Q: Would you elaborate on how you are able to capture the purity and authenticity of so many different styles of music? Do you have a particular process for writing a song?

A: I have been blessed with a good ear for ethnic styling. Certainly my experience living overseas opened the door for this. As far as a process for writing ... lately, my songwriting has been inspired through prayer! I have been on a spiritual journey, asking God how I might best use my talents. The results of being open to divine inspiration has been incredible! Basically, I'm just the instrument, God is playing the tune! You'll hear my new CD within a year or so. I have a lot of new and exciting music (not just for children) in the works.

Q: Have you ever taught music? If so, could you share with us what your favorite style or method of teaching was?

A: I have taught pre-school music. I don't have any method, except my own, which is to: MAKE THE ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY! This is most likely the greatest lesson I have learned from children. Children look at life with wide-open wonderment ... everything is new and extraordinary. "WHAT IS THAT?... WHY DOES IT DO THAT?" I find that when I bring that same open desire to learn and explore with my music...the children follow.

Q: Would you share how you came to realize that performance was a "match" for you?

A: Remember, I said I was the 5th of 5 girls in my family! The need for attention plus, being the baby in the family has stayed with me into adulthood! I think my mother and father encouraged my musical direction. Also, there has always been something innate about performing for me.

Q: Please share a funny situation or story that has happened to you on the road.

A: Often I have a performance situation where I don't have the luxury of a private dressing room next to the stage area. Such was the case when I needed to use the rest-room before going on stage at a state museum. I snuck over to the bathroom next to the Lobby, and shuffled between moms and kids to get into use a toilet. I entered the stall and closed the door. Directly, I saw this little head peeking upside-down, looking under my stall door and exclaiming, "HI ANNA MOO! HI ANNA MOO! WE'VE COME TO WATCH YOUR SHOW!!" Then, I hear this embarassed, frantic mother, dragging her child out from under the stall saying,"Honey!! We don't talk to ANYBODY until they come OUT of there, even if it IS ANNA MOO!! Then, there was a whole line of kids looking upsidedown under the stall for a peek! Ahhh, the price of fame!

Q: I must say that this is the first kind of story that has ever been shared with me in an interview! I appreciate your candor. The readers of Musicstaff.com are primarily private, music teachers. Would you share something with them that would be helpful in their approach to teaching music to their students? What elements do you feel should be instilled in their students beyond just teaching them theory and technique of their instrument?

A: I like to engage students in ("What If" ) sensory exploration. What if you were blind? Try listening with your eyes closed and playing with the eyes closed. What if you were deaf?! Deaf children feel the vibrations of sounds by gaining close proximity to the source of the sound. ANYONE CAN LEARN THEORY and TECHNIQUES. The difference is in FEELING the music and making it your own. What emotion was the writer trying to convey? Use all your senses.

Q: What does Anna Moo like to do in her spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Do you have any plans of offering books or sheetmusic of your best selling songs?

A: In my spare time, I play, write songs, read, garden, and cook. These are my hobbies too. I am looking at creating a book of sheetmusic along with a coloring book to go with my recordings. Currently I am writing 'mini-musicals' for school children to perform in school. This complements my background in theater. There is a real need for good musicals that are easy for children to perform.

Q: Please close with some advice or tips for the teachers that might be interested in pursuing the line of work such as the one you have chosen.

A: There are very few artist who are 'making a living' as performers for children and families. Most folks who get into any aspect of "Show Business" do so because of the Show part of Show Biz, and you need to know about the Business side of Show Business, in order to make it work. If you have a talent at writing or performing for children, GO FOR IT! I am totally blessed to be able to do what I do for a living, and I completely encourage those with proven talent to share it.

Q: Anything else that you would like to add?

A: I've had the distinct honor of being the recipient of 4 Parents Choice Gold Awards, 3 American Library Association Awards, and 4 Grammy ballot inclusions. My CDs, "MAKING MOOSIC", "ANNA MOO CRACKERS", "WHEN I WAS A CHILD", "MOOEY CHRISTMAS", and "HOLY COW!", are available at my website:

WWW.ANNAMOO.COM. You can also order my music from Amazon.com. plus, NEW, on Rhino Records is, "Chicken Soup For Little Christian Souls" where my song G-O-D, (from HOLY COW!), is part of the CD compilation, along with songs from Amy Grant, Ray Stevens, Rebecca St. James, and more!

Q: G-O-D was voted by my fifth graders as their favorite song off of the Holy Cow CD. Another favorite off of one of your other CDs is Alligator Stomp! We have a rip-roarin' time with that one! Thanks again for taking the time to share with us. My students absolutely LOVE your music!

A: Aeeee! Sounds like you're having fun. Thank You!
goodmoos@ccgnv.net